Liberty 5K: Life, LIberty, Running, and Waffles

The annual Liberty By the Lake 5K/10K is becoming a pretty spectacular tradition around here.  This race is my runnerversary and holds a very special place in my little running heart.  It was my first ever race in 2008, my first age group award in 2010, and the prelude to a fabulous waffle frunner gathering at our house---the newest tradition.  I am always grateful for my friends, but this day is sorta like my Running Thanksgiving and an awesome opportunity to pause and take a look at all of the goodness that has come into my life.

There are few races that are so close to home so I savored the opportunity to sleep a little bit later than the usual race morning--although not too much since there were some finishing touches to be made in order to prepare for the waffle feast.  I knew it would be a good day when we saw Erin while driving to the race--seems to be a pre-race tradition for us and I think that we catch her off guard every time.  The race wasn't huge, 1100 people they later announced, and we were able to find our group fairly quickly.  We took some pictures and warmed up a little bit before lining up for the race.  This race is a bit of a doozy--any race that starts at 8:00 in July in Texas holds its own special challenge--and this race was no different.  However, while hot--this summer has seemed almost easy compared to last year...the hottest summer in 31 years.  I was hoping to defend the Team K 5K Record as Mr K had issued the challenge a few days before, but I had my doubts as that would require a PR from me and I didn't feel like that pace was within reach on such a warm day.  I am not sure that I really know how to pace a 5K, I just run as fast as I can and I try to hang on to that for as long as possible.  It is "only" 3.1  miles...but those miles are fast and furious.

Post Race Group Shot

The beeping of my watch in the first 1/2 mile signaled to me that I did not start it correctly so I do not have my mile splits from this race.  I would be interested to see how much I slowed down from mile to mile because it felt like a lot.  I felt better prepared for this race than I ever had as my Chicago Marathon training plan features challenging interval workouts and tempo runs each week (more about that plan in a future entry).  I tried to keep the positive thoughts going as I charged through each mile....also wondering who put the mile markers so far apart!  I am focused on some big goals for Chicago and tried to keep those in my mind when the running got tough.  I lost sight of Mr K sometime during the second mile and he went on to score a new PR for himself!

Obligatory Self-Portrait with Mama C

Soon enough we made our way back into the park and I gave it all that I had.  I really had no idea what my time was since my watch was not started properly.  A check of the results showed a time of 25:08....a new course record!!  I feel like I have been running stronger and faster in the heat--typically my SLOW season--and this course record proves it in my mind.  I have gotten second place in my age group the last 2 years and I was hoping that my little tradition would continue, but it wasn't to be on this day.  I would have to settle for 4th out of 41 in my age group and 94th overall. 

Frunner Girls

After the longest awards ceremony ever we headed back to the house for waffles, bacon, mimosa, and frunners galore.  I think that my house set a PR for occupants that day, I'll never forget it!  Mr K was a waffle machine and our house smelled like bacon for days...certainly signs of a good party.

Like I said above, I like to use races like this as a chance to look around and note the progress I have made.  In 2008 I ran this as my first ever race--it took me 34:41 and I was most thrilled that I ran the entire time without walking. I didn't even have real running shoes and I think that I wore a cotton shirt (gasp!).  I never intended to run anything more than the occasional 5K and I thought that I had made all of the good friends that I would make in my lifetime.  Looking around my house on this July 4th showed me how wrong I had been...I've run so many races--even a marathon, and have met some really terrific people who have made me a better person.  All because I signed up for a 5K four years ago.....

(I am proud of myself because I took some of the pictures in this blog....but as always, I must thank Mama C and That Pink Girl for sharing their photos.)